Independent Board Advisory · Manchester & Lancashire

Growth is easy.
Controlled growth is rare.

Management consultancy, independent board advisory and Non-Executive Directors for owner-managed SMEs, founders and family businesses across the North West.

M.ABM
IoD
01.1
Independent counselNo skin in the game — a dispassionate critical friend to the board.
01.2
Broad perspectiveSteps back from any one function to view the whole strategy.
01.3
Expanded networkAccess to a trusted black book of contacts and connections.
01.4
Governance, handledTakes on the back-room rigour so you can run the business.
Item 1 — On the agenda

NED, NXD & SID.

A Non-Executive Director (NED, NXD) or Senior Independent Director sits on the board but sits outside the executive team — bringing challenge and perspective without a personal stake in day-to-day decisions.

a

Independent counsel

No skin in the game like the executive board, so your NED can be a truly dispassionate critical friend in assessing the business.

b

Broad perspective

Not the finance director, the marketing director or the managing director — free to step back and view how every role fits the overarching strategy.

c

Diverse viewpoints

A varied set of commercial experience to shed light on alternate points of view and bring experiential wisdom to new situations.

d

An expanded network

Their own black book of contacts to call on for advice, or to broker new connections for your firm.

e

Governance, taken care of

Where your NED has governance experience, they take on the boring, back-room work — freeing you to focus on running the business.

Item 2 — Our framework

The FORSHAW Model.

Seven pillars of effective independent advisory, built specifically for small and growing businesses.

Seven pillars

Focus. Oversight. Rigour. Strategy. Honesty. Accountability. Wisdom.

Focus Oversight Rigour Strategy Honesty Accountability Wisdom

We developed the FORSHAW Model as our own framework for independent board advisory — a repeatable structure that keeps oversight rigorous and growth genuinely controlled, rather than accidental.

View the FORSHAW Model in full →
Item 3 — Independent board advisers

Elevating your boardroom with carefully curated expertise.

We pride ourselves on a meticulous approach to assembling a team of distinguished business advisers — impartial advice, executive coaching and business mentoring for your board and key team members.

01

Rigorous selection

Every adviser undergoes a rigorous selection process to ensure they bring real knowledge, experience and expertise to your board.

02

Objective advice

Committed to unbiased, objective advice — a fresh external perspective that's invaluable in strategic decision-making.

03

Executive coaching

A keen focus on leadership development, nurturing your leadership team's growth and unlocking their full potential.

04

Business mentoring

Beyond generic guidance — advisers who mentor, sharing wisdom and insight to empower your board and key team members.

Accreditations & boards served: M.ABM — Association of Business Mentors Institute of Directors AFC Bamber Bridge Bury RUFC BankAbility UK CIC CAST CFFM
From the Bradex Live Q&A

Discover why good businesses stall and how to break through — twenty real questions on the £1m ceiling, answered straight.

Read the Q&A
Item 4 — Let's get started

We're always glad of new friends.

Whichever way suits you best — a call, a message, or fifteen minutes in the diary.

Registered office
Forshaw Associates Limited
44 Regent Street
Ramsbottom, Bury
Lancashire, BL0 9PF

Tel: 0161 751 2320